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‘New bill to ensure social integration of people with disabilities’

By Mohammad Ghazal - Mar 28,2016 - Last updated at Mar 28,2016

AMMAN — Privately-owned disability care centres with lodging facilities in Jordan will be shut down and replaced with daycare centres over the coming 10 years, as part of efforts to enhance the integration of people with disabilities into society, under the 2016 draft law on persons with disabilities.

Only a few public disability care centres dealing with special cases will be kept, Government Spokesperson Mohammad on Momani told reporters Monday.

“The new law is a great push towards further integration of the disabled into the society, the schools and the entire community,” said Momani, who is also minister of state for media affairs and communications.

“It is not acceptable that the disabled are isolated and live in these centres. It is their right to live with their families, to go to school and to engage with the community,” said the spokesperson, stressing that the bill, which the Cabinet endorsed on Monday protects the rights of people with disabilities.

Minister of Social Development Reem Abu Hassan said that to ensure the proper enforcement of the law, it will be implemented gradually and over different phases.

The law stipulates the integration of people with disabilities in all educational facilities over the next 10 years and gradually ensuring accessibility, said Abu Hassan.

She added that an annual report will be issued detailing the progress made and abidance by the law.

Commending the bill, Senator Muhannad Azzeh, who is also adviser to the Higher Council for Persons with Disabilities, said it was drafted following extensive discussions with all stakeholders, including families of people with disabilities.

“This legislation sets a model to be followed in the region. It follows a right-based approach. It addresses all issues of concern to disabled people,” said Azzeh at the press conference. 

A statement carried by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, said the draft law is aimed at providing equal opportunities and addressing discrimination against people with disabilities.

 

It comes in line with the relevant international conventions signed by Jordan, and in the implementation of the comprehensive national strategy for persons with disabilities aimed at integrating them in public life, Petra reported.

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